Cebuanos celebrate Le Beaujolais Nouveau

My French friends admit they have an unquenchable thirst for wine, and further claim they eagerly await the new grape harvests and the new wines that follow. “When the shortages were extreme,” one declares with an impish smile and a wink, “anger has resulted in serious consequences, and rumor has it that the storming of the Bastille may have been one of these events!”

Over the last half a century, the marketing forces, economic circumstances, and government influences have been so favorable that the French anticipation, excitement, and enthusiasm for the new wines has crossed the borders of Europe, spanned the Atlantic to North and South America, and, more recently, invaded Asia. What started as a local French phenomenon has captured the world. Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive.

Cebu City has joined the ranks of avid wine-loving cities around the world with its biggest ever celebration of the Beaujolais Nouveau, thanks to Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. The festivities included a ceremonial uncorking of the first bottle by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the French Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Chesnel, Le Club president Bernard Flour, and Marco Polo Plaza Hotel dynamic general manager Hans Hauri. A parade of waiters then shared it with all the guests, while Governor Garcia and Ambassador Chesnel proposed a toast to good wine, good health and friendly international relations. The invitees filled the beautifully decorated main ballroom, which was converted into lush flowering gardens with white picket fences and larger-than-life photos of French castles, courtesy of Daniel Carpentier of PDP Digital Inc. The all-so-real ambience was equally matched with the impressive layout of carvings, cold cuts, cheeses and tasty delicacies.

The hosts for the evening were Johnny Litton and Cory Quirino who masterfully steered the activities. The program progressed smoothly without a hitch or hesitation.

After a few wonderful moments to savor the Beaujolais 2007, the guests were entertained with lively, colorful cancan numbers by the San Diego Dancers. Following a brief interlude to appreciate the food, Vernie Varga took center stage with some French songs and sultry numbers, which certainly ushered in the mood of the party.

The French community of Cebu was highly visible, along with out-of-town visitors from the capital city and foreign shores as well. An honored guest was Yves-Dominique Ferraud, the owner of the vineyard and producer of the Beaujolais wines that were served. Also present from Manila were Henri Ortiz, administrator of the French Chamber of Commerce; Bernard Flour, president of Le Club, who dished out an entertaining duet of La Vie en rose with Vernie Varga.

With the formalities over and the revelry reaching maximum level, it was time to dance to the lively music of the Renaissance Band. The dance floor was filled to capacity as the musicmakers played the most popular pieces from boogie, chacha, and swing to foxtrot and tango — or were they new dance steps yet to be identified?

The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel together with the Le Club has brought the Beaujolais Nouveau Day celebration to new heights and put Cebu City on the map of the Beaujolais cities of the world. It has set a standard and established a precedent, which has all the qualities of a long-lasting tradition for the Marco Polo and Cebu City to match and uphold.

Congratulations to Marco Polo Plaza Hotel! Mabuhay Cebu City!